In-vehicle antenna

ABSTRACT

A cellular telephone system has a special cellular telephone antenna that can be hidden from view so as to deter thieves and vandals as well as prevent damage to the antenna during car washes. In the preferred form, the cellular telephone antenna comprises a rear view mirror-mounted antenna. The cellular telephone antenna can also comprise a sun visor mounted antenna, side view mirror-mounted antenna, glove compartment-mounted antenna, or dashboard-mounted antenna.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to antennas and, more particularly, to antennasfor car phones.

Cellular mobile telephone service utilizes radio transmission to providedirect-dial telephone service to car phones in automobiles, vans,trucks, buses, and other vehicles. Since there are no overhead telephonelines which connect the vehicles, both speech and signaling aretransmitted by radio waves. This is accomplished through the use ofspecial tones rather than applying a voltage level or detecting acurrent as is done in overhead telephone lines. The tones will ring themobile telephone to indicate an incoming call or will indicate a busysignal.

Until recent years, the growth of mobile telephones had been restricteddue to the limited number of radio channels available and the limitedrange, i.e. 25-30 miles, of single base transmitting units.Subsequently, the cellular concept was developed to provide high qualitymobile service for more customers at an affordable cost. The basicconcept of a cellular system is to reduce the area covered by thetransmitter by reducing the power of transmissions. In this manner,concentrated areas of population can have more transmitting stations andtherefore, more channels because each transmitter handles numeroustelephone conversations. Moreover, because the lower power transmitterscover less area, the same frequency can be reused in a commongeographical area.

In a cellular system, the service area is divided into regions calledcells. Each cell has equipment to switch, transmit, and receive calls toand from the mobile telephone units located in the cell. A typical cellcan have a radius of one to 12 miles. Each cell transmitter and receiveroperates on a specified channel. Desirably, each channel is used formany simultaneous conversations at locations which are far enough apartto avoid interference. As the number of mobile users grow, theoverloaded cells can be split or divided into smaller cells by addingmore transmitters.

Cell sites form the radio link between individual cellular telephonesand the telephone system. Each cell station is equipped with atransmitter and receiver coupled to an array of antennas. The cell sitesalso have a telephone switching network and other support equipment. Thecells are located where they will operate most effectively in the radioenvironment. In urban area, cell sites are usually found on top of thetall buildings. In rural areas, cell sites are located at the highestlevels, such as on mountains or on radio towers. To minimizeinterference, adjacent cells use different frequencies.

The cell sites are interconnected and controlled by radio transmissionby switching circuitry through a central mobile telephone switchingoffice (MTSO). The MTSO is linked to the cell sites by a group of voicecircuits for conversations, together with one or more data links forsignaling and control. A call initiated by a mobile telephone unit canbe interconnected by the MTSO to a stationary telephone just as anyother telephone call.

The mobile telephone units have a telephone control unit, a handset, amobile telephone antenna, and interconnecting cables. Each mobiletelephone unit is assigned a ten digit telephone number. The controlunit performs all the functions associated with normal telephone use.The receiver and transmitter provide a transceiver and they are themeans by which signals are sent between the cellular telephone and thecell site. The receiver can tune to frequency modulated (FM) channelsassigned to the cellular system, such as in the 800-900 MHz range. Theband from 824-849 MHz is often used to receive signals from the mobileunits. The transmitter can tune to the appropriate FM band. The bandfrom 869-894 MHz is often used to transmit signals to the mobile units.The mobile units transmits at a low power. The base station transmits ata higher power.

Generally, each cellular telephone has a small integrated circuit orchip providing a numeric assignment module (NAM). The NAM chip isprogrammed usually by the cellular telephone dealer or installer tocontain the information that uniquely identifies the cellular telephonewith a cell site. The information programmed in the NAM chip includesthe telephone number and serial number of the cellular telephone. Thecomputers at the MTSO and the cell site use this information to identifythe particular cellular telephone when transmitting and receiving calls.

Most cellular telephone manufacturers and supplies offer hands-freeaccessories that make it unnecessary to hold the handset while talkingon the cellular telephone. A typical hands-free installation, includes asmall microphone, which clips onto the windshield's sun visor to pick upthe driver's end of the conversation and a speaker in the control headof the cellular telephone. Removing the handset from its cradle restoresthe cellular telephone to its normal operation and deactivates themicrophone external speaker (speaker phone) to end the hands-free mode.

When the handset is lifted or a button is pressed to place a call, theMTSO automatically selects an available channel. The user hears thenormal dial tone and can continue dialing, i.e. pressing thealpha/numeric buttons, in the same manner as a stationary telephone withoverhead telephone lines. An incoming call to the mobile unit issignaled by a ringing tone and is answered simply by lifting the handsetor pressing the receive button. The mobile telephone transmitter islinked by a voice channel to another telephone, such as another mobiletelephone or a stationary telephone.

Each cell site has at least one setup channel dedicated to signalbetween the cell and its mobile units. The remaining channels are forconversations. Two channels are required for duplex operation. A mobiletelephone unit is called by transmitting its number over the setupchannel. This occurs when the cellular telephone is taken off-hook. Thecellular transmitter links to an available set-up channel and send arequest tone to the serving cell site. The cell site assigns a voicechannel set over which dialing and voice signals will take place. Thecellular control circuit automatically switches to the voice channel.The cell site interprets incoming dial tones and send the digits alongto the MTSO which will connect the cellular telephone to the recipienttelephone. When the recipient telephone is taken off-hook, the telephoneare linked and a conversation can take place. As vehicles move (roam)out of the cells and the cellular signal becomes weaker, the MTSOswitches to another cell to establish a new voice channel with astronger signal, by a switching procedure known as a handoff. Handoffstake place so rapidly by a computerized switching system, that cellularusers do not even know that it has occurred.

In most mobile cellular phone installations, the phone receives itspower from a vehicle battery. If it is part of a permanent installation,the phone may be permanently connected, or hard wired, to the vehicle'selectrical system. If the phone is intended to be removed occasionally,a quick disconnect plug or an adapter that lets the telephone take itspower from the vehicle's cigarette lighter can be used.

For permanent installations, the transceiver/logic unit can be mountedin the trunk of the automobile and connected to the control head and carbattery by cables. This location also places a trunk-mounted transceiverclose to a rear trunk-mounted antenna. This arrangement shortens thelength of feedline cable connecting the rear antenna to the transceiver.Generally, the shorter the feedline cable in cellular telephones, thestronger the transmission and the better the reception.

An antenna is a length of wire that radiates or captures radio signals.Without an antenna, the cellular telephone would be virtually uselesssince the telephone would have no means to transmit and receive signalsto and from a cell site. Because of the microwave frequencies utilizedin cellular telephones, it is possible to make the cellular telephoneantennas quite small. Cellular telephone antennas come in many shapesand sizes. Some antennas are intended for permanent mounting and somefor easy removal. Some are intended for vehicle use and others are to beattached to a portable phone. Some antennas are mounted on metal. Otherantennas are mounted on glass.

An antenna typically needs a ground plane to provide a surface to launchradio waves, even though there is no electrical connection between itand the antenna. A ground plane should have a radius equal to at leastone quarter of the wavelength of the radio wave. Since the frequenciesused by cellular telephone wavelengths are quite short, very little inthe way of a ground plane is needed. Generally for an antenna to radiatean omnidirectional signal, i.e. one that radiates outwardly in alldirections from the antenna, the antenna should be mounted as close tothe center of the ground plane as possible.

Roof-mounted antennas are secured to the roof of the vehicle. Metalroofs provide a convenient ground plane. The roof is also the highestpoint on the vehicle so that signals emitted from and transmitted to theantenna are less likely to be obstructed by nearby objects. Theroof-mounted antenna can be connected to the internal dome light on theceiling. The cable can then be placed in the ceiling liner forconnection to the telephone. Roof-mounted antennas require a hole in theroof. Roof-mounted antennas usually extend at least a foot above theroof of the car. Roof-mounted antennas are not very popular withautomobile drivers because they can be easily damaged by low garagedoors and car washes. Roof-mounted antennas are not very popular withtruck drivers because they can be readily damaged by low overpasses.Furthermore, roof-mounted antennas are not easily accessible for removalor repair.

Trunk-mounted antennas can be mounted on the trunk of an automobilethrough a hole in the trunk or with a clip that attaches to the edge ofthe trunk. The cable can be positioned in the space between the trunkand the body of the car. The metal trunk provides the ground plane.Elevated feed antennas can also be used in which the signal is receivedinto the antenna above its base.

Magnetic-mount antennas are intended for easy installation and removalon the roof or trunk lid of a car. The magnetic-mount antenna has a basewith a powerful permanent magnet that holds base of the antenna firmlyto the metal surface of the vehicle.

External glass-mounted antennas are mounted on the exterior surface ofthe vehicles's rear window. The external glass-mounted antenna have anantenna rod, base, and a mounting plate. The mounting plate is cementedto the rear window with a weatherproof adhesive or can be placed on therear window with a suction cup. The base, which can also serve as amounting plate, contains a circuit that substitutes for the metal groundplane that would otherwise be provided by the roof or trunk of the car.The other parts of the antenna are glued to the inside of the windowdirectly opposite the outside portion. The signal transmitted to andfrom the external glass-mounted antenna are coupled through the glass bycapacitive action, which allows a current to develop between the twosection of the antenna system without any physical connection betweenthem. The coaxial cable is connected to the inner portion of theexternal glass-mounted antenna and extends into the vehicle's rear deckto the telephone. The efficiency of external glass-mounted antennas canbe adversely effected by the rear window defogger and rear windowheating elements. External glass-mounted antennas are useful but do notperform as well as roof-mounted antennas.

External cellular antennas typically have a pigtail or squiggleproviding a phasing coil partway up its length. The phasing coil servesto divide the antenna into two antennas: one above the phasing coil andone below the phasing coil. The phasing coil is designed to maintain theproper phase relationship of the radio waves received by the antenna sothat each half of the antenna receives the proper portion of the signal.A 5 dB antenna usually has two phasing coils or pigtails to properlydistribute the signal.

The efficiency of external antennas can be adversely effected byexternal weather conditions, e.g. ice, snow, sleet, rain, winds, smog.Furthermore, external antennas can be readily bent, broken, or otherwisedamaged in car washes. External antennas are also attractive to thievessince external antennas are readily accessible and can be easily removedwith proper tools. Sometimes, external antennas are broken in parkinggarages and parking lots by vandals.

In-vehicle antennas mount inside the vehicle. In-vehicle rear windowantennas can be secured to the inside surface of the rear windows ofvehicles but peel-back double sided tape or by Velcro tabs. The rearwindow antennas are mounted vertically in the center of the rear window,but can also be attached instead to the front or side windows.In-vehicle antennas perform almost as well as external glass-mountedantennas.

It is, therefore, desirable to develop an improved cellular telephonesystem and antenna for use in vehicle which overcomes most, if not all,of the preceding problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved cellular telephone antenna and cellular telephone system isprovided for use with vehicles. The novel antenna and cellular telephonesystem are attractive, economical, reliable and effective. The inventiveantennae and telephone system are useful in many types of vehicles, suchas: automobiles, station wagons, vans, trucks, jeeps, taxicabs, buses,motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, road-grading equipment, backhoe,tractors, and agricultural vehicles.

The cellular telephone system has a vehicle antenna-housing connected tothe vehicle. The cellular telephone antenna is secured to theantenna-housing. A coaxial cable connects the antenna to the cellulartelephone. The cellular telephone has a transceiver with a handset andis connected to a battery in the vehicle. Remarkably, the placement andshape of the cellular telephone antenna and housing described hereindecrease telephone interference and improve reception and the strengthof the telephone signals, because a shorter coaxial cable is used toconnect the telephone to the antennae.

In the preferred form, the cellular telephone antenna is an in-vehicleantenna positioned in an in-vehicle antenna-housing in the interior of avehicle. Desirably, the antenna provides a disguise antenna which ishidden from view to make the antenna less visible and accessible tothieves and vandals and, therefore, minimizes antenna theft. Since theanti-theft antenna is encased in a protective housing, it cannot bebent, broken, or otherwise damaged in car washes. Advantageously, thein-vehicle antenna is not contacted and adversely effected by externalweather conditions, e.g. ice, snow, sleet, rain, winds, smog.

The novel antenna is also less obstructive to the passengers and providea greater unimpaired range of vision for the driver. Furthermore, thecellular telephone antenna enhances the aesthetic appeal and ambiance ofthe vehicle.

In one preferred embodiment, the in-vehicle antenna-housing comprises arear view mirror. In another embodiment, the in-vehicle antenna-housingcomprises a glove compartment. In a further embodiment, the in-vehicleantenna-housing comprises a sun visor positioned above the frontwindshield in proximity to a driver or passenger above a front seat ofthe vehicle. This is particularly useful for hands-free operation, wherea small microphone is clipped, pinned or otherwise secured onto thewindshield's sun visor to pick up the driver's end of the conversation.In this manner, the sun visor is already connected to the electricalsystem of the vehicle. In still another embodiment, the in-vehicleantenna-housing comprises a dashboard.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable that the vehicle housingcomprises a side view mirror mounted externally on the side of the caradjacent a car door, either on the driver side or the passenger side.Remotely operated power-moveable side mirror are particularly adaptablefor cellular telephone antennas, since they are already connected to theelectrical power source of the vehicle, e.g. the car battery.

While it is preferred that the antenna be encased in the housing, it maybe desirable in some circumstances that the antennae which extendsexternally upwardly from the mirror housing or other antenna-housing.

A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in thefollowing description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a vehicle with a cellular telephonesystem in accordance with principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the interior of the vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a rear view mirror;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a rear view mirror housing;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the rear view mirror housing with aninternal cellular telephone antenna; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front view of the cellular telephone antennamounted on an antenna-board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The vehicle 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrates an automobile with:tires 11; an exterior body 12 having a hood 14, roof 16, trunk 18, doors20; front windshield 22 (front window), side windows 24 and 25, sideview mirrors 26, an interior engine compartment 28, vehicle battery 30,trunk compartment 32, a steering wheel 34, ceiling 36, dashboard 38,driver's seat 40 (FIG. 2), front passenger seat 42, center console 44,drive shift 46, glove compartment 48, rear view mirror 50, sun visor 52,AM/FM radio 54, speedometer 56, tachometer 58, and cellular telephonesystem 60. While the particular vehicle shown is an automobile, it is tobe understood that the inventive cellular telephone system and antennacan be used with other types of vehicles, such as: station wagons, vans,trucks, jeeps, buses, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, road-gradingequipment, backhoes, tractors and other agricultural vehicles.

The cellular telephone system has a cellular telephone antenna 62 (FIGS.5 and 6) which is secured by a clip, screw, or other fasteners to avehicle antenna-housing 64. The antenna can extend externally upwardlyor outwardly from the vehicle antenna-housing.

In the preferred embodiment, the antenna 62 is hidden from view and isencased and positioned within and surrounded by the vehicleantenna-housing 64. The vehicle antenna-housing can comprise: the sunvisor, glove compartment, ceiling fabric, doors, rear view mirror, orside view mirror.

Preferably, the vehicle-antenna housing is an in-vehicle antenna-housingassembly comprising a rear view mirror housing 64. The rear view mirrorhousing can be made of plastic, preferably impact-resistant plastic. Ifdesired, metal, wood or other materials can be used.

The rear view mirror housing 64 (FIGS. 4 and 5) has a rear housingportion 66 which matingly engages and is secured to a front housingportion 68. A rear view mirror 70 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is clipped, bonded, orotherwise securely fastened to and peripherally surrounded by the frontmirror portion. The rear view mirror is located at a position forviewing by the driver of the vehicle. The rear view mirror can be madeof glass and coated with silver or other reflective coating. In somecircumstances, it may be desirable that the mirror be made of reflectiveplastic or polished metal.

An extension arm 70 (FIGS. 4 and 5) providing a mirror-mounting arm issecurely fastened or otherwise connected to the back 72 of the rearhousing portion. A universal swivel joint 74 connects the extension armto a mounting plate 76 or mounting bracket. The mounting plate is boltedor otherwise secured to the ceiling of the vehicle or windshield. Theextension arm, swivel joint, and mounting plate provide an articulatedarm 78 which enables the mirror housing and mirror to be moved 360degrees to position desired by the driver so that the driver can viewrearwardly approaching vehicles through the back window (rearwindshield). In some circumstances, it may be desirable to use a hollowor tubular extension arm and mounting plate so that the antenna-cable 80can extend through and be hidden from view in the hollow or tubularextension arm and mounting plate.

The back of the rear housing can have one or more mirror-housing windows82 facing the front windshield at a location above or below theextension arm. The mirror-housing windows permit light, radio waves, andtelephone signals to enter and exit the interior of the rear housing.The mirror-housing windows communicate with the front windshield andcellular telephone antenna within the mirror housing so that radio waveand telephone signals can pass through the front windshield andmirror-housing windows and be received by and radiate from the cellulartelephone antenna. In some circumstances, it may also be desirable tohave mirror-housing windows in the sides of the mirror housing facingthe side windows.

The rear view mirror housing can also contain dimming circuitry to varythe reflectiveness of the mirror in response to the intensity of lightfrom rearwardly approaching vehicles, as well as for daytime andnighttime driving.

The omnidirectional in-vehicle cellular telephone 62 antenna comprises amirror-mounted cellular telephone antenna securely mounted andpositioned in the interior of the rear view mirror housing behind therear view mirror. The antenna can be positioned horizontally orvertically.

The antenna is tuned to receive and transmit telephone signals. Morespecifically, the antenna transmits telephone signals along a frequencymodulated band to another telephone. The antenna also receives telephonesignals from another telephone along frequency modulated channels. Theantenna can also be tuned to receive AM radio signals and FM radiosignals for the AM/FM radio.

The cellular telephone antenna can be made of copper or other conductivemetal. The antenna is adhesively or thermally bonded or otherwisesecured and mounted to a generally planar or flat light-transmissiveantenna-board 84 (FIG. 6) or circuit board. The board can be made ofplastic and can be transparent or translucent to facilitate the passageof radio wave and telephone signals to the antenna. The antenna issoldered or connected by conductive metal or wires to the base 86 (FIG.5) or annular rim of the cable-connecting socket or adapter 88, that isbonded or otherwise secured to the board. The adapter 88 can bepositioned rearwardly or forwardly to facsilitate attachment to thecoaxial cable 80.

In the illustrative embodiment, the cellular telephone antenna hasaligned outwardly-diverging flared antenna sections 90 and 92 (FIG. 6).The antenna sections are tapered away from the center of the antenna andantenna-board. The cross sectional area of each flared antenna sectionincreases stepwise towards the center of the antenna and antenna-board.One antenna section 90 has a thicker inner antenna portion 94 with atransversely extending central foot portion 96 and has an elongatedthinner outer portion 98 connected by an inwardly divergingfrustro-conical tapered portion 99 to the thicker inner antenna portion94. The inner antenna portion 94 is thicker, i.e. has a larger crosssection, than the outer antenna portion 98. The other antenna section 92has a thicker, but shorter, inner antenna portion 100, a much thinnerouter antenna portion 102, and an intermediate thickness antenna portion104 between the inner and outer antenna portions. The intermediateantenna portion 104 is connected by inwardly diverging frustro-conicaltapered portions 106 and 108 to the inner and outer antenna portions 100and 102. The cross section area of the intermediate portion 104 isgreater than the outer portion 102 but less than the inner portion 100.

The cellular vehicular telephone system includes: the antenna 62,cellular telephone 110 (FIGS. 1 and 2), coaxial feeder cable 80, andbattery 30. The battery provides an electrical power source which powersthe cellular telephone system. In the illustrative embodiment, a vehiclebattery in the engine compartment is wired to the cellular telephone bypower cable 112. The coaxial cable 80 connects the antenna to thecellular telephone. Desirably, the coaxial feeder cable and saidmirror-mounted antennae have matching impedances to substantiallyminimize standing waves and loss of transmission power.

In the illustrated embodiment, an externally threaded antenna-connector88 (FIG. 5) providing a cable adapter is secured to the board andelectrically connected to the antenna. The antenna-connector has aninterior port or opening and provides a female cable-receivingconnector, plug, or adapter. The antenna-connector matingly engages andreceives the L-shaped male connector 114 on the antenna feedline cable(coaxial cable).

The coaxial cable can comprises a center conductor surrounded by anelectrical insulating layer and a shield of thin braided copper wire.The center conductor and shield are encased in another insulation layer.The antenna input impedance should match the antenna feeder cable toprevent standing waves and loss of transmission power. The L-shaped maleconnector on the coaxial cable is connected to the female connector 88on the internal cellular antenna. The other male TNC connector on thecable is connected to the cellular phone transceiver 116.

The cable can also be connected to the AM and/or FM vehicle radio,either directly, or through a splitter connection, or by a separatecable connected to another adapted plug/socket on the board. The lengthof the cable can be hidden from view by running, positioning and buryingthe cable under the dashboard, car molding and fabric in the ceilingand/or door.

The illustrated rear view mirror-mounted antenna can also be used for: avisor-mounted antenna, a dashboard-mounted antenna, a side viewmirror-mounted antenna, a door-mounted antenna, a glovecompartment-mounted antenna. All of the above described antennas areuseful as cellular telephone antennas and can also be connected to theAM and/or FM vehicle radio. While the illustrated antenna is preferredfor reasons of economy and effectiveness, in some circumstances it maybe desirable to use an antenna have a different shape and orientation.

The cellular vehicle mobile telephone has a telephone control unit 116(FIG. 1), handset 118, and cradle 120. The telephone control unitcomprises a transceiver and provides a logic unit. The cellulartelephone can comprise an analog cellular telephone, digital cellulartelephone, or preferably a dual mode cellular telephone that has both ananalog capacity and a digital capacity of 832 radio frequency (RF)channels with 3 watts power. The telephone can transmit from 824-849 MHzand can receive from 969-894 Mhz. The cellular telephone can have afrequency stability of 2.5 PPM, a channel spacing of 30 KHZ, and aduplex spacing of 45 MHz. The cellular telephone can operate on a supplyvoltage of 11-16.5 volts with a current of 1.5 amps.

The transceiver can be mounted under the dashboard by a mounted bracketand bolts or other fasteners. If desired, the transceiver can be mountedunder the driver's seat, front passenger seat, in the glove compartment,or in the trunk. The transceiver can contain an amplifier, demodulator,and circuitry for tuning to telephone signals received by said cellulartelephone antenna, as well as carrier oscillators, amplifiers, andcircuitry for transmitting telephone signals through the cellulartelephone antenna. The transceiver can be contained in a black box, suchas of 30 mm height×210 mm length×90 mm width and weighing about 0.7 kg.Other size and weight transceivers can be used.

The handset 118 (FIGS. 1 and 2) can include a handset-housing which canbe molded out of impact-resistant plastic. The handset-housing cancomprise two or more separable parts separated by a parting line foraccess into the interior of the handset. The handset housing can includea back 122 and a front 124.

The back of the handset has a convex shape and generally faces towardsthe driver when the telephone is not in use. When in use, the back ofthe handset fits comfortably in the palm of the user's hand. The upperportion of the back of the handset has a rectangular handset-displaywindow 126 to indicate and display the telephone number beingcalled/dialed. The handset display-window is positioned to be readilyviewed by the driver.

The back of the handset has a keypad 128 (FIG. 2) withfinger-engageable, depressible, resilient keys 130 positioned below thedisplay window. The keys can be rectangular or circular. The keys caninclude: alpha numeric buttons 132, a send/receive button 134, aclear/stop/end button 136, a recall button, a store button, andautomatic dialing buttons for user-programmed stored telephone numbers.

A speaker 140 (FIG. 2) can be mounted in the back of the handset belowthe keys for handsfree telephone discussions in conjunction with aspeaker-microphone 142 mounted on the sun visor or on the ceiling inproximity to the sun visor. The microphone can be hardwired to thecradle or base unit of the cellular telephone. The microphone wire canbe hidden from view by running, positioning and burying the wire underthe dashboard, car molding and fabric in the ceiling and/or door.

The front of the handset has a finger-grippable concave handle 144(FIG. 1) which extends between and integrally connects the top earpiece146 to the bottom mouthpiece 148. The handset can be 61 mm height×62 mmwide×200 mm length and a weight of about 0.4 kg. Other size and weighthandsets can be used.

The earpiece can have a convex circular ear-engageable portion withearholes to receive the sender's voice from a diaphragm or othervibrating means which converts current and voltage in audible tones. Theearpiece can be connected to a receiving-circuit within the interior ofthe handset to receive telephone signals from other telephones via thetransceiver, coaxial cable, and antenna, to unscramble and converttelephone signals into recognizable audible tones for the listener'sear.

The mouthpiece can comprise an inclined, sloped, or recessed portionwith mouthpiece holes for transmission of the user's voice to adiaphragm or other vibrating means which convert acoustical vibrations(words) into electrical impulses, i.e. voltage and current. Themouthpiece can be connected to a transmitting-circuit within theinterior of the handset to transmit telephone signals via thetransceiver, coaxial cable, and antenna, to scramble and convert theuser's voice/talking into telephone signals for transmission to thereceiving telephone.

The bottom of the handset has a cord-receiving opening which provides aport or socket to receive a handset-engaging plug, adapter, and/orconnector, attached to a telephone cord 150. The other end of thetelephone cord has a base-engaging plug, adapter, and/or connector whichmatingly engages and fits into a port or socket in the base unit orcradle 120 of the telephone.

The cradle 120 or base unit is shaped complementary to the earpiece ofthe handset to receive at least the earpiece of the handset. Theearpiece can snap-fit into the cradle or can be removably secured to thecradle by a magnet or other connection means. The base unit also has acable-receiving opening which provides a port or socket to receive amale connector, plug, and/or adapter, attached to antenna-feed cable(coaxial cable). The base unit can also have a socket or adapter toreceive the microphone wire. The base unit can be hard wired to thetransceiver. The base unit and/or transceiver is operatively connectedto the vehicle battery by a power cable or electrical power circuit.

EXAMPLE

An in-vehicle antenna was installed in the interior of a rear viewmirror of a vehicle and was connected by a coaxial cable to the cellulartelephone. The transmission and reception was clear and strong andproduced unexpected surprisingly good results. The mirror was locatedabove the center of the dashboard and was attached to the ceiling orinterior surface of the roof. The in-vehicle antenna had the followingspecification:

    ______________________________________                                        Frequency:   800-930 MHz                                                      VSWR         Less than 1.9:1                                                  Impedance:   50 ohms (normal)                                                 Gain:        3 DB                                                             Maximum Power:                                                                             50 watts                                                         Polarization Multi-directional circular base                                  Connector:   Polytetrafluroethylene (Teflon)                                  insulated TNC-P                                                               Cable:       RG/u, 4.25 meters coaxial cable                                  PC Board:    G10, FR4, copper tinted 7" × 1.75" PCB                     ______________________________________                                    

Among the many advantages of the cellular telephone system and antennaare that they: (1) enhance the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle; (2)prevent damage to antennas in car washes; (3) hide the antenna fromvandals and thieves; (4) minimize blockage of vision for the driver andpassengers and thereby promotes vehicle safety; provide (5) outstandingappeal to customers and cellular telephone users; are (6) versatile;have (7) outstanding performance; (8) superior quality; are (9) easy touse; (10) convenient; (11) attractive; (12) economical; (13) reliable;(14) efficient; and (15) effective.

Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, itis to be understood that various modifications and substitutions, aswell as rearrangements of parts and components can be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the novel spirit and scope ofthis invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cellular telephone system for use in vehicles,comprising:a vehicle antenna-housing connected to a vehicle; a telephoneantenna secured to and encased and positioned within and surrounded bythe vehicle antenna-housing; said telephone antenna having substantiallyplanar aligned outwardly-diverging telephone antenna sections, eachtelephone antenna section having a cross section increasing stepwisetowards a central portion of the telephone antenna; a cellular telephonehaving a transceiver comprising a handset; a power supply comprising avehicle battery connected to the cellular telephone; and a coaxial cablefor connecting the telephone antenna to the cellular telephone.
 2. Acellular telephone system in accordance with claim 1 wherein:saidvehicle housing comprises an in-vehicle antenna-housing positioned inthe interior of a vehicle; one of said telephone antenna sections havinga thicker inner antenna portion; a central foot portion extendingtransversely from said thicker inner antenna portion, an elongated outerportion, an inwardly diverging frustro-conical tapered portionconnecting said outer portion to said inner portion, and said innerportion having a larger cross section than said outer portion; andanother of said telephone antenna sections having a shorter, innertelephone antenna portion, a thinner outer, telephone antenna portion,and an intermediate telephone antenna portion integrally extendingbetween the shorter inner telephone antenna portion and thicker outertelephone antenna portions, inwardly diverging frustro-conical taperedportions connecting said shorter inner telephone antenna portion andthicker outer antenna portions, and said intermediate telephone antennaportion having a cross section larger than said thicker outer telephoneantenna portion but less than said shorter inner telephone antennaportion.
 3. A cellular telephone system in accordance with claim 2wherein:said in-vehicle antenna-housing comprises a rear view mirror;and said antenna comprises a rear view mirror-mounted antenna.
 4. Acellular telephone system in accordance with claim 2 wherein:saidin-vehicle antenna-housing comprises a glove compartment; and saidantenna comprises a glove compartment-mounted antenna.
 5. A cellulartelephone system in accordance with claim 2 wherein:said in-vehicleantenna-housing comprises a sun visor positioned above the frontwindshield in proximity to a driver or passenger in a front seat of thevehicle; and said antenna comprises a sun visor-mounted antenna.
 6. Acellular telephone system in accordance with claim 2 wherein:saidin-vehicle antenna-housing comprises a dashboard; and said antennacomprises a dashboard-mounted antenna.
 7. A cellular telephone system inaccordance with claim 1 wherein:said vehicle housing comprises a sideview mirror mounted externally on the side of the car adjacent a cardoor; and said antenna comprises a side view mirror-mounted antenna. 8.A cellular telephone system in accordance with claim 1 including a radiooperatively connected to said antenna, said radio being selected fromthe group consisting of an AM radio, an FM radio, and an AM/FM radio. 9.A cellular telephone system for use in vehicle, comprising:an in-vehicleantenna-housing assembly comprising a rear view mirror housing having aninterior, a rear housing portion secured to a portion of a vehicle inproximity to a windshield and a front housing portion connected to saidrear housing portion, said vehicle being selected from the groupconsisting of an automobile, station wagon, van, truck, jeep, taxicab,bus, motorcycle, an all-terrain vehicle, road-grading equipment, backhoetractor, and an agricultural vehicle; a rear view mirror secured to andperipherally surrounded by said front mirror portion, said rear viewmirror having being located at a position for viewing by the driver ofthe vehicle; an in-vehicle cellular telephone antenna comprising a rearview mirror-mounted cellular telephone antenna disposed in the interiorof said rear view mirror behind said rear view mirror, said cellulartelephone antenna being secured to said rear view mirror housing fortransmitting telephone signals along a frequency modulated band toanother telephone and for receiving telephone signals from anothertelephone along frequency modulated channels; a cellular telephonehaving a transceiver handset operatively connected to a transceiver, anda cradle operatively connected to the handset for receiving the handset;a vehicle battery operatively connected to said cellular telephone; acoaxial feeder cable for connecting said mirror-mounted antenna to saidcellular telephone; and said coaxial feeder cable and saidmirror-mounted antenna having substantially matching impedances tosubstantially minimize standing waves and loss of transmission power; asubstantially planar board disposed within and secured to said rear viewmirror housing; a cable-receiving socket mounted on said board forreceiving said coaxial feeder cable; said mirror-mounted cellulartelephone antenna comprising a substantially planar conductive metalantenna mounted on said board and connected to said cable-receivingsocket; said telephone antenna having substantially planar alignedoutwardly-diverging telephone antenna sections, each telephone antennasection having a cross section increasing stepwise towards a centralportion of the telephone antenna; one of said telephone antenna sectionshaving a thicker inner antenna portion; a central foot portion extendingtransversely from said thicker inner antenna portion, and elongatedouter portion, an inwardly diverging frustro-conical tapered portionconnecting said outer portion to said inner portion, and said innerportion having a larger cross section than said outer portion; andanother of said telephone antenna sections having a shorter, innertelephone antenna portion, a thinner outer telephone antenna portion,and an intermediate telephone antenna portion integrally extendingbetween the shorter inner telephone antenna portion and thicker outertelephone antenna portions, inwardly diverging frustro-conical taperedportions connecting said shorter inner telephone antenna portion andthicker outer antenna portions, and said intermediate telephone antennaportion having a cross section larger than said thicker outer telephoneantenna portion but less than said shorter inner telephone antennaportion.
 10. A cellular telephone system in accordance with claim 9including an extension arm and mounting plate for connecting said rearhousing portion of said rear view mirror housing to said ceiling of saidvehicle; andwherein said rear view mirror housing defines at least onemirror-housing window to permit telephone signals to enter and exit theinterior of said rear view mirror housing, and said mirror-housingwindow communicating with cellular telephone antenna within the mirrorhousing and vehicle-window comprising a window selected from the groupconsisting of a front windshield and a side window, so that telephonesignals can pass through the vehicle-window and mirror-housing windowand be received by and radiate from the cellular telephone antenna. 11.A cellular telephone system in accordance with claim 9 wherein:saidtransceiver handset has a front and a back; said front of said handsethaving an earpiece, a mouthpiece, and a handle extending between andconnecting said earpiece and said mouthpiece, said earpiece having aconvex circular ear-engageable portion with earholes for receiving atelephone call, and said mouthpiece comprising an inclined portion withmouthpiece holes for transmission of the user's voice into electricalimpulses; said back of the transceiver handset having a handset-displaywindow for displaying the telephone number being called, a keypad withfinger-engageable keys positioned below said handset-display window,said keys comprising alpha numeric buttons, a send button and an endbutton; and said cradle being shaped complementary to said earpiece ofsaid handset to receive said earpiece.